Comic Spotlight: GEARHEAD GERTIE
Gearhead Gertie
Created by celebrated political cartoonist and StockCarToonist Mike Smith, Gearhead Gertie is for everyone who’s ever lived for a day at the races. The central character, Gertie, isn’t exactly who you’d expect when you hear the words “race fans,” but she’s a reminder that fandom is for everyone!
“Whether she’s watching a race on tv or sitting in the grandstands, for her, NASCAR isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life.”
Today we’re spotlighting one of our beloved comic strips GEARHEAD GERTIE. The strip is available weekly every Thursday and brings sarcastic laughs and plenty of puns for NASCAR, racing, and comic fans alike. Mike Smith, the celebrated political cartoonist for the Las Vegas Sun, is the mastermind behind GEARHEAD GERTIE. We briefly interviewed him to ask what exactly makes Gertie tick and some other exciting tidbits. Enjoy!
What are 5 things we should know about Gearhead Gertie?
- Gertie lives for race day.
- For Gertie, NASCAR isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life
- Gertie’s list of opinions about racing is long, and her patience with friends and family who don’t share her obsession is short.
- Gertie has a feisty spirit and high-octane sarcasm.
- Gertie is the quintessential Dale Earnhardt fan.
Who is Gearhead Gertie?
Gearhead Gertie lives for race day. Whether she’s watching a race on tv or sitting in the grandstands, for her, NASCAR isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life. Gertie’s list of opinions about racing is long, and her patience with friends and family who don’t share her obsession is short. With a feisty spirit and high-octane sarcasm, Gertie lives her love of the sport to the fullest.
What are some of your favorite strips?
“I liked this cartoon because it shows Gertie’s commitment to the sport of NASCAR and shows that nothing will stop her from getting close to the action.” ~Mike Smith
“This is another example of Gertie’s sense of humor, showing how much NASCAR is constantly on her mind” ~Mike Smith.
I think this cartoon demonstrates Gertie’s sarcastic sense of humor. ~Mike Smith
Is there any GEARHEAD GERTIE Merch?
Of course, there’s a whole collection in your Comics Kingdom Shop that’s not only for “race fans” but for fandom everywhere!
MIKE SMITH
Mike Smith has been a professional cartoonist for more than 30 years. Smith works for the Las Vegas Sun, which started running his work while he was still a senior in college. In addition to drawing a daily cartoon five days a week for the Sun, Smith also draws YouToon, a cartoon caption contest for USA Today. He is the author of Nuts for Racing, a collection of his cartoons on NASCAR racing. His work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Time, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.